Lautenschlager, Christian

[ensign14]

The first man to win two Grands Prix was German - Christian Lautenschlager. However for some reason he is never really considered as one of the top drawer drivers. Maybe because his second win was an exemplar of teamwork, the faster Salzer basically breaking Boillot's Peugeot to allow Lautenschlager home to lead a near clean sweep. Also that he appeared to have done little else in his career.

[John Turner]

Another good call Ensign14; a reappraisal for Lautenschlager is probably in order. The race you are talking about specifically, the 1914 French GP figures at No.10 in MotorSport's list of Greatest Grand Prix which, of course, is the subject of another thread. Maybe we are becoming more aware of the deeds of the early racers.

[John Turner]

Christian Lautenschlager was born at Magstadt on 13 April, 1877, and died on 1954. The two GP wins referred to by Ensign14 were the 1908 and 1914 French GPs.

[John Turner]

Octane 133 (July issue!) reports that M-B Classic celebrated the centenary of the 1914 win by taking 3 cars to Lyon to mark the occasion. Well done to them - they have a great sense of history. Lautenschlager's actual winning car was one of those taken and is the only known survivor of the 5 that were entered in the original race.